Club members push back over proposed changes to Cedar Hill Golf Course
The president of the Cedar Hill Golf Club says a report from District of Saanich staff recommending changes to the operation df Cedar Hill Golf Course will hurt the club and its members.
The report, which was scheduled to go before the district’s council Thursday night, recommends an increase in fees and removing the club’s preferred tee time bookings. The report also recommends the club no longer have free use of the course’s clubhouse for functions and meetings.
“If they go ahead with the recommendations of the report and council adopts them, there are some key elements that will probably make members think twice about continuing their membership here,” said Cedar Hill Golf Club president Jeffrey Monty. “I know members will just simply say ‘we’ve had enough and we’re going to walk.’”
Monty says removing the perks the club has enjoyed gives members the impression that the District of Saanich is severing its ties with the club.
“Club members have a very deep interest in this golf course, we’ve had thousands and thousands of volunteer hours planting trees and other things,” said Monty. “It makes me really sad to see how quickly they are trying to sweep the club under the carpet.”
District of Saanich senior manager of recreation Tiana Solares says she understands the concerns of the club, but the proposed changes will make the course more accessible for all golfers.
‘What we are trying to do is provide a little more fairness and equity across the board and less exclusivity to a club-type relationship, which is very rare with municipal golf courses,” said Solares. “We would still like the club to be able to golf here, to book events and tournaments, it’s just the agreement that gives them those certain benefits that’s not sustainable anymore.”
The staff report, which was created with the assistance of an Ontario golf advisory company, includes a proposal that would see a private contractor run both the golf course and concessions in the clubhouse. Saanich will continue to maintain the course and will manage use of the event and boardroom spaces in the clubhouse.
“We periodically review most of our operations in recreation to ensure we are staying on top of industry trends and still providing value for residents,” said Solares. “This was a part of that and the last time the golf course was reviewed was 2009.”
The district has offered the 69-year-old golf club a one-year extension on its agreement with the municipality, which is currently set expire at the end of 2021.
“The whole origins of this golf course was started by golfers and it morphed into the Cedar Hill Golf Club, so we’re part of the DNA of this place,” said Monty. “People will move if they don’t feel part of the organization.”
The report will be presented for Saanich council’s information at Thursday’s meeting. Monty says that he, along with other members of the club, will be on hand to speak against the proposed changes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.